Summary:Matthew (Ryan Reynolds) steps briefly into a diner and comes out to find that his young daughter Cassandra has vanished without a trace from the back of his truck. Her unsolved abduction destroys Matthew's once-happy relationship with his wife, Tina (Mireille Enos), who, haunted by mementosMatthew (Ryan Reynolds) steps briefly into a diner and comes out to find that his young daughter Cassandra has vanished without a trace from the back of his truck. Her unsolved abduction destroys Matthew's once-happy relationship with his wife, Tina (Mireille Enos), who, haunted by mementos of Cassandra that appear mysteriously at her work, suspects her husband of foul play. Years later, when detectives Nicole (Rosario Dawson) and Jeffrey (Scott Speedman) discover recent images of Cassandra online, Matthew risks everything to ensure his daughter's safe return—and to save himself and Tina from the limbo of unrelenting despair. [A24]…Expand

This is Egoyan’s best film for a very long time: like Reynolds, he needed a hit, and The Captive is a welcome return to the form of The Sweet Hereafter. Its eeriness creeps up on you and taps you on the shoulder, and when you spin around, it’s still behind you.

Not exciting enough to be taken as straightforward thriller and not engaging enough for a dramatic character piece, Egoyan's The Captive is held back by its own lame script and a distinct lack of necessity.

Solid throughout. Ryan Reynolds is typically excellent. The acting is good, the story structure is sound. The subject matter is difficult andSolid throughout. Ryan Reynolds is typically excellent. The acting is good, the story structure is sound. The subject matter is difficult and verges on heartbreaking. Recommended for fans of Reynolds, Egoyan or basic suspense thrillers. Don't be put off by the critics who have one thing in common - they have never made a movie.…Expand

Stumbled upon this on cable and was completely engrossed. Performances are solid, direction outstanding (and ultimately gripping) and story isStumbled upon this on cable and was completely engrossed. Performances are solid, direction outstanding (and ultimately gripping) and story is grim but compelling.…Expand

Exhaustingly disjointed narrative and clunky plot hamper the captivating premise. The Captive is a strange take on drama or thriller. ItExhaustingly disjointed narrative and clunky plot hamper the captivating premise. The Captive is a strange take on drama or thriller. It doesn't build up to intelligent conclusion or revelation as the movie gives some key point of the plot early, instead it's a merry-go-round of twisted perspectives and timelines. The movie certainly gives deeper look of the people affected by the heinous act, yet its shifting tone is exceedingly slow and the repetitive narrative feels needlessly cumbersome.

Story mainly follows Matthew (Ryan Reynolds) as he tragically lost his daughter. The movie spans over eight years and multiple perspectives. While this method can be alluring, it becomes overly tedious after a while. It is literally a circle of events that may seem disconnected, only to eventually be pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle though the movie gives the audience a random piece at a time.

Details from one scene might be crucial at later times, it's meant to be a Eureka moment when it finally comes together. However, the little suspense doesn't amount much and there is barely any major twist to be had. The way it jumps through characters and timeline might deter some viewer, especially when the movie just starts to build momentum then it jumps to another perspective at much different time altogether. Furthermore, the movie does this gimmick the entire time, occasionally with rehearsed scenes.

The theme itself is dauntingly personal. It's a delicate matter and the movie does deliver the premise without being overbearing. Acting from the lead, mostly Ryan Reynolds, Rosario Dawson as the police investigator and Alexia Fast as the daughter are pretty compelling. At times it showcases the psychology aspect in sophisticated manner, but as the movie reveals the child spent eight years in captivity in first act, it does negate some of the thrill from earlier timeline.

The Captive presents a sense of grueling entrapment, parts of it are not in the tediously cinematic way it's meant to be.…Expand

Frustrating! This movie had me screaming at the screen mostly at the bizarre and totally unrealistic dialogue. Acting is mediocre at bestFrustrating! This movie had me screaming at the screen mostly at the bizarre and totally unrealistic dialogue. Acting is mediocre at best which is surprising for such an all star cast. But Scott Speedman is perfect as an obnoxious jerk and Ryan Reynolds is great as always not too mention the only reason to even bother seeing this movie. Bottom line: if you miss this your probably better off!…Expand

The art house thriller is a very difficult genre to pull off and Egoyan really struggles pulling it off here. The main story about childThe art house thriller is a very difficult genre to pull off and Egoyan really struggles pulling it off here. The main story about child abduction should make for a fascinating film, but the characters here all act in ways that would be alien to the average viewer, making decisions that make no sense whatsoever, and with dialogue that sounds far from realistic. A game cast are wasted in what should have been a fascinating companion piece to Prisoners…Expand

Good performances, No where near as bad as critics say it is. That being said though, The story could have been so much better. It was soGood performances, No where near as bad as critics say it is. That being said though, The story could have been so much better. It was so unsatisfying to sit through, So slow, and the ending wrapped everything up in a very disappointing way. The potential was there for a solid thriller and it just sort of failed to deliver.…Expand

Truly tedious. This could have been a good movie but it is simply boring. Dreadful acting and a horrible screenplay. Once again a bad film isTruly tedious. This could have been a good movie but it is simply boring. Dreadful acting and a horrible screenplay. Once again a bad film is written by its director - when will they learn? Are all the decent writers working in television? If the director also writes the story, who is there to say, "No, that stinks"?…Expand